The wheelbarrow, it is said, was invented by the noted Italian
artist, Leonardo da Vinci. That it was the production of so
capable a man is possibly the reason that it has remained for
centuries unaltered, and considered so far incapable of improvement.
But nowadays our wants are so many, or our wishes are so exacting,
that for some uses the present wheelbarrow is not satisfactory.

In the garden the wheelbarrow is very useful, even in its ordinary
construction, but in the shape in which it is presented in the
accompanying illustration, it will be still more useful. The
additions and improvements here described are the result of
the ingenuity of Mr. E.D. Beach, of Hartford, Conn., to whom
we are indebted for a photograph from which we make the engraving.
They are as follows: a rubber wheel-tire by which more quiet
and easy rolling is secured; two springs fitted to the axle,
which prevent jolting; a wheel-lifter, or a second pair of longer
legs, by which it may be lifted over obstructions, by pushing
forward the leg frame and bearing down upon the handles; a movable
water-pail hook; drawers for seed, etc.; a seat with a socket
for an umbrella or sunshade, to be used while resting; four
buckled-strap loops for holding tools; four partitions for various
uses; two sliding-doors for quickly emptying it of its contents;
four baskets fitting into the partitions, and, lastly, a movable
cover made to fasten by a latch or catch. Each and all of these
may be removed at will, except the rubber tire.

Some of these appliances will be found useful for any wheelbarrow,
and others are intended for special work in the garden and orchard,
where one wishes to have all the tools he is likely to need
at hand in a convenient manner. It is really converting a wheelbarrow
into a portable tool-house.

Mr.
Beach writes us that he has spent three years in perfecting
his wheelbarrow, but he will be sufficiently repaid for
his thought and labor by freely conferring the invention,
with whatever of value or usefulness it may possess, upon
the public; this he does through the columns of the American
Agriculturalist, without any other compensation than results
from doing whatever good he may. The additions are therefore
free to everybody to adopt.

Mr. Beach's wheelbarrow

Editor's Note: This is a reprint of an article published
in 1876. It describes what was recommended in accordance with
the knowledge and practices of the day. While reading it, please
consider this fact.